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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:3 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Th 2:3 |
King James |
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
For--The ground of his "boldness" (Th1 2:2), his freedom from all "deceit, uncleanness, and guile"; guile, before God, deceit (Greek, "imposture"), towards men (compare Co2 1:12; Co2 2:17; Eph 4:14); uncleanness, in relation to one's self (impure motives of carnal self-gratification in gain, Th1 2:5), or lust; such as actuated false teachers of the Gentiles (Phi 1:16; Pe2 2:10, Pe2 2:14; Jde 1:8; Rev 2:14-15). So Simon Magus and Cerinthus taught [ESTIUS].
exhortation--The Greek means "consolation" as well as "exhortation." The same Gospel which exhorts comforts. Its first lesson to each is that of peace in believing amidst outward and inward sorrows. It comforts them that mourn (compare Th1 2:11; Isa 61:2-3; Co2 1:3-4).
of--springing from--having its source in--deceit, &c. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For our exhortation - That is, the exhortation to embrace the gospel. The word seems to be used here so as to include preaching in general. The sense is, that the means which they used to induce them to become Christians were not such as to delude them.
Was not of deceit - Was not founded on sophistry. The apostle means to say, that the Thessalonians knew that his manner of preaching was not such as was adopted by the advocates of error.
Nor of uncleanness - Not such as to lead to an impure life. It was such as to lead to holiness and purity. The apostle appeals to what they knew to be the tendency of his doctrine as an evidence that it was true. Most of the teaching of the pagan philosophers led to a life of licentiousness and corruption. The tendency of the gospel was just the reverse.Nor in guile - Not by the arts of deceit. There was no craftiness or trick, such as could not bear a severe scrutiny. No point was carried by art, cunning, or stratagem. Everything was done on the most honorable and fair principles. It is much when a man can say that he has never endeavored to accomplish anything by mere trick, craft, or cunning. Sagacity and shrewdness are always allowable in ministers as well as others; trick and cunning never. Yet stratagem often takes the place of sagacity, and trick is often miscalled shrewdness. Guile, craft, cunning. imply deception, and can never be reconciled with that entire honesty which a minister of the gospel, and all other Christians, ought to possess; see notes on Co2 12:16; compare Psa 32:2; Psa 34:13; Joh 1:47; Pe1 2:1, Pe1 2:22; Rev 14:5. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Exhortation (παράκλησις)
See on Luk 6:24 and see on Co1 14:3. Exhortation or counsel is Paul's usual sense.
Of deceit (ἐκ πλάνης)
Better, of error. It may imply deceit as accompanying or causing error, but it does not occur in the sense of deceit. Our exhortation did not proceed from any false teaching which we had ourselves received. We were guided by "the spirit of truth"; See Jo1 4:6, and comp. Pe2 1:16.
Of uncleanness (ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας)
Ἀκαθαρσία in Mat 23:27 of the corruption of the sepulchre. Elsewhere in N.T. of sensual impurity. See Rom 1:24; Co2 12:21; Eph 4:19. Here in the sense of impurity on the side of sordidness. In Eph 4:19, Paul speaks of working uncleanness (ἀκαθαρσίαν) in a spirit of selfish desire (πλεονεξία) which is the spirit of covetousness. In Eph 5:3, uncleanness and covetousness are closely associated. Paul means that his exhortation did not proceed from greed for gain or lust for power.
In guile (ἐν δόλῳ)
While uncleanness expresses impure purpose or motive, guile has reference to improper means; plausible but insincere methods of winning converts; suppression of the truth; "huckstering the word of God" (see on Co2 2:17); adulterating it for purposes of gain or popularity. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| For our exhortation - That is, our preaching. A part is put for the whole. Is not, at any time, of deceit - We preach not a lie, but the truth of God. Nor of uncleanness - With any unholy or selfish view. This expression is not always appropriated to lust, although it is sometimes emphatically applied thereto. Nor in guile - But with great plainness of speech. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Our exhortation - The word παρακλησιςhas a very extensive meaning; it signifies not only exhortation and teaching in general, but also encouragement, consolation, and the like. When the apostles exhorted or admonished men, it was that they should turn from evil to good, from misery to happiness, from Satan to God, and from hell to heaven. Their exhortations having this object, every word was consolatory; and as the truth which they delivered was unquestionable, therefore their ministry was a subject of the highest encouragement and joy.
Not of deceit - We did not endeavor to allure you with false pretences; we did not deceive you, nor were we deceived ourselves.
Nor of uncleanness - Such as the teachings of the Gentile philosophers were; their supreme gods were celebrated for their adulteries, fornications, uncleannesses, thefts, barbarities, and profligacies of the most odious kind. Our Gospel was pure; came from the pure and holy God; was accompanied with the influences of the Holy Spirit, and produced purity both in the hearts and lives of all that received it.
Nor in guile - We had no false pretences, and were influenced by no sinister motives. |
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.